King of Ragtime
The Story of Scott Joplin
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- $19.99
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
A stunning, rhythmic picture book biography of African American composer Scott Joplin, whose ragtime music paved the way for jazz.
There was something special about Scott Joplin…
This quiet kid could make a piano laugh out loud.
Scott, the son of a man who had been enslaved,
became a king—the King of Ragtime.
This celebration of Scott Joplin, whose ragtime compositions paved the way for jazz, will captivate audiences and put a beat in their step, and the kaleidoscope-like illustrations will draw young readers in again and again.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this pitch-perfect picture book biography of Black ragtime composer Scott Joplin (c. 1867–1917), author-illustrator Costanza regales readers with Joplin's journey: born the son of a formerly enslaved man in Texas, Joplin served as a pianist in saloons and honky-tonks, eventually penning the "Maple Leaf Rag" and subsequently earning the title "the King of Ragtime Writers." Costanza establishes an atmospheric, folkloric tone in narration rich with onomatopoeia and figurative language: "He'd patch in a riff from a work song,/ a thread of gospel here, a string of ring shout there—/ sewing together new tunes/ to play for his mother the next day." Enchanting spreads rendered in gouache, wax pastel, and collage feature expansive patchwork fields and fanciful multicolored skies; fine-lined human figures are delightfully fluid and surrealistic, with Costanza showcasing a deep understanding of color theory. One particularly majestic spread features Joplin, eyes closed, superimposed over an intricate Ferris wheel against a dark sky. "The music went round and round in his head," the next page reads, depicting a rotation of musicians, instruments, and circus fare. A richly detailed profile fit for a king. Back matter includes an author's note with further historical contextualization, recommended listening, and a bibliography. Ages 4–8.
